COPD and anxiety: its impact on patients' lives.

BACKGROUND Anxiety is a common comorbidity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but its identification and management are often insufficient. AIM To explore the experience of living with and managing comorbid anxiety and COPD from a patient's perspective. METHOD The study followed a qualitative approach. In-depth interviews were carried out with 14 patients who had COPD. RESULTS Participants believed anxiety had a significant impact on their quality of life. It made them feel isolated and caused them to avoid social occasions and daily activities. Identifying anxiety was a challenge because of the overlap in the symptoms of anxiety and those of COPD, and the side-effects of medication. CONCLUSION Nurses can play a vital role in screening and managing anxiety, and educating people in strategies to prevent episodes of panic.